Shock-absorber for vehicles.



No. 898,048. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908.

' O. K. POSTER.

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1007.

anucufoz Char/es K. Fasver, @Vdnzaam anon asw/ wf I CHARLES K. FOSTER,OF OENTERVILLE, RHODE ISLAND.

SHOCK-ABSORBER FOR VEHIGLEs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 1908 Application filed. June 12, 19.07. Serial No.378,557.

To all whom it may concern:

-Be it known that 1, CHARLES K. Fos'rnn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Centerville, in the town of Warwick, in the county of Kentand State of lthode Island, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in Shock-Absorbers for Vehic es, of which the following is aspecification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to shock absorbing devices and has for its objectto provide a simple and efl'ective means to be used in connection withvehicle springs whereby the shock caused by the unusual vibration ofsaid springs may be absorbed or taken up to relieve the unusual tensionon the same.

Springs which are used to support the body of the vehicle must ofnecessity be quite. light and flexible in order to provide an easyriding carriage, and while running rapidly over a rough road, on accountof their flexibility, they receive undue strains and are liable to bebroken.

My improved deviceis attached to the vehicle between the body portionand the axle to assist in supporting said body and serves as a cushionto retard any sudden compressions or extensions. of the spring, andeffectually absorb the unusual shocks and strains to avoid the breakingof the s rings, thereby controlling the motion of the ody and insuring aregular and easy movement of the same.

A special feature of this invention is that the cylinder is set on an anouter end of the piston rod at the opposite end of said cylinder issecured to the body }portion of the vehicle, each of said ends being oldby a ball and socket joint.

By setting this cushioning device on an angle a double eilect isobtained, first it assists the springs in receiving the shocks and jarsof the endwise movement of the body on the axles, and also assists thespring to absorb the unusual shocks and strains in a vertical direction.

In the operation of my device I use a double acting air cushion which isobtained by a piston reciprocating in a cylinder, an

essential feature of this construction being the special m'e'anssbywhich the cushion at both ends is controlled.

It is found in practice on automobiles and the like, that where theoutside air is admitted to the cylinder the dust and dirt le, one end ofthe same being secured near the axle while the works in around thereciprocating piston,

uickly cutt ng the same out and rendering he'device zseiess, but with myimproved construction the air is hot forced from and drawn into thecylinder by the stroke of the piston but is simply passed from one sideof the piston around to the other through a special channel arranged forthat purpose, the amount to be passed being nicely controlled by thesize of the apertures which is determined by the position of theadjusting screws.

This invention is fully set forth in this specification and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing mydevice in position between the axle and the body of the vehicle. Fig. 2is a sectional elevation .of my improved device.

Referring to the drawings, at 1 is shown a portion of a semi-ellipticspring, clamped together at 2, said clamping means being also arrangedto secure a socket 3 in which the ball at the lower end of the shockabsorbing device is held. The vehicle frame is illustrated at 4 to whichis secured a bracket 5 in which bracket is held the ball at the upperend of said device.

This device is constructed of a cylinder 6 provided at either end withthe ends 7 and 8 the latter having inwardly extended flanges 7 which arethreaded onto the cylinder. The piston 9, which is adapted toreciprocate in said cylinder, is rovided with suitable packings 10 and11 hy which to make the same tight while working both ways in saidcylinder. v

At 12 is a piston rod which is provided with a ball 13 at its outer endadapted to be held in the bracket 5. The opposite end of this rod ispassed through the packing box 14 and through the piston 9 where it issecured by means of the nuts 1515.

In the working of an ordinary. piston back and forth ina cylinder valvesare ordinarily provided which would automatically close onthecompression side of the cylinder and open 'on the opposi is' In this waydirt and dust would bi drawn into the cylinder with the air andsoon'destroy the usefulness of the device. In order to avoid this veryserious dii'liculty I have provided a channel 16, having ports 17 and 18leading into Said cylinder, which allows the air to pass; from one sideof the piston around to the other side through said channel and be usedover and adapted over again as the piston reciprocates. In order t atthe amountallowed toipass from one end to the other may be varied'underdifierent'conditions in which the deyice may be called upon to operate Ihave pravided the screws 19 and 20, the points of which are openingtherethrough, thus the quantity of air. allowed to pass from one end tothe other is nicely" controlled. Channel 16, is formed by aplate 16",which is transversely-curved and has its ends 16'', at right anglesthereto extending inwardly and conforming in shape to the curvature of clinder 6', to which, between fian es 7, sai ends are secured. At

' ends of sai plate are enlarged parts or bosses sorb theshock of the'endwise movementoof the'vehicle body on the axle as well as tosteadythe vertical movement of ,the same.-

Bfy the use of these ball joints at either end 0 the device the movementof the same is universal and will readily follow any movementof the bodywithout cramping.

A articular advantage obtained by the use 0 the two adjusting screws '19and 20 is that one may be withdrawn to openits port while the other isforced in to nearly close the other passageway whereby the channel 16,

which may be as large as desired may be usedas an extra or enlarged airspace or aux- I iliary chamber into which the compressed air from oneside of the piston may be forced,

to enter said ports and regulate the side of the same.

1, between the axle an the frame where y the device will ab seamsthereby increasing the areaand diminishing I the resistance on one sideof the piston, at

the same time reducin the areaby confining the air'in that end oft ecylinder lad increase the-resistance on this side of the piston,---,

In practice it is found "advant sons in some cases in riding-over roughro'a s to al low the'body of the car to descend withoiit muchresistance, and then'retard the same in rising, which result can beobtained to a very satisfactory de ee by nearl closing the inlet on oneside of t e same entirely open an free on the opposite The device isexceedingly simple ofconstruction inexpensive to' produce, and very 1efiective. in its operation; and by its practical construction no dirtor dust can enter the cylinder to. affect its working parts.

Having thus-described my invention, what I claim as new and desire .tosecure by Letters Patent,-is: v

I A shock absorber composed of a c and a piston therein, sa d cylinderaving ends provided; with "inwardly extending flanges interiorly.threaded and secured to the cylinder, a plate transversely curvedanddisosed between said flan es, said plate havlng right angular-ends wi ch are curvedmnd secured to said cylinder, enlarged portions at eachend of said plate, each of which is aper- -65 linder tured, and a screwin'eah of said apertures,

the wall of said cylinder adjacent said plate bein formed with openingsalining' with said openings of the plate and adapted'to receive saidscrews therein.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES K. FOSTER.

- Witnesses:

Howann E.-BARLOW, E. I. OGDEN.

iston an leaving the 5b

